Ionic transfer behavior of bipolar nanochannels resembling PNP nanotransistor

Abstract

This article presents a study on the use of nanofluidic membranes containing straight nanopores as nanotransistors, with a specific focus on the PNP nanotransistor with its three regions representing the emitter, base, and collector. By applying a voltage to the base region, the current flowing between the emitter and collector regions is increased. The nanotransistor has two active intersections in its nanochannel where ions can either collect or deplete. Due to its nanoscale size, the PNP nanotransistor has unique properties that make it suitable for various applications, including ultra-sensitive biosensors, low-power electronics, and rapid computation. We investigated the effect of electrolyte concentrations on the performance of the PNP nanotransistor using a finite-element numerical computing method to determine the steady-state solutions of the Poisson-Nernst-Planck and Navier-Stokes equations. Our results show that the concentration profile in the system varies with voltage, and changing the concentration ratio of the tanks can improve the ionic current. For instance, our findings indicate that the passing ionic current at a Ca/Cg ratio of 3 and a Vapp=+1V is 84% higher than that at a Vapp=−1V. This study provides valuable insights into the performance of the PNP nanotransistor and its potential applications, particularly in the field of nanoelectronics. The results suggest that adjusting the electrolyte concentrations can improve the device's performance, leading to new opportunities for developing nanoscale electronics with enhanced functionality.